I Just Can't Wait To Be King

Album: The Lion King Soundtrack (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In Disney's hit animated classic The Lion King, Simba is a young lion prince who is eager to take his place as King of the Jungle and boss everyone around. As he and his best friend, Nala, set out on a secret journey to the elephant graveyard – a trap set by Simba's power-hungry Uncle Scar - Simba bursts into song, proclaiming, "I just can't wait to be king!"

    Famed lyricist Tim Rice wrote the lyrics to Elton John's music. "Basically, I was just thinking of children playing games," Rice told Vulture. "Whatever they say has to be plausible. We knew the song was sung by a lion cub, so it had to be innocent, boppy, and poppy. It's a lighthearted thing for kids to sing."
  • In the movie, Jason Weaver, who provides the singing voice for Jonathan Taylor Thomas' Simba, performs this with help from Nala (Laura Williams) and his trusty hornbill guide Zazu (Rowan Atkinson). Elton John also recorded his rendition for the soundtrack.
  • In the Broadway musical adaptation, this was originally performed by Scott Irby-Ranniar (young Simba), Kajuana Shuford (young Nala), and Geoff Hoyle (Zazu).
  • An updated version was included in the 2019 remake, performed by JD McCrary as young Simba, Shahadi Wright Joseph as young Nala, and John Oliver as Zazu.
  • Brian Wilson covered this on his 2011 album, In The Key Of Disney.
  • The New York Times Film Reviews 1993-1994 noted the film version sounded "as if Michael Jackson were singing 'Under the Sea.'" Jason Weaver actually played a young Michael Jackson in the 1992 biopic The Jacksons: An American Dream.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.